‘Yes!’ Colt quickly confirmed that he wanted to receive his offerings. The shrine became engulfed in the usual golden light that seemed to accompany most things that he did. Colt felt as though a weight was suddenly pressing down on his mind. When he focused on it, he could somehow sense that the items were now available to him.

When he thought about the clothes and trying them on, his basic starter gear was suddenly replaced by them! Colt felt warm with the fur-lined coat wrapped around him and some decent clothes. As he thought about them, he could tell that they were subtly modifying his stats while wearing them. Giving him a +1 boost to Endurance.

‘Oh, it seems to be a Common set of equipment.’ Colt was not surprised by this at all. After all, he had barely started playing the game. Although he did wonder what terms would be used for the higher-level equipment.

Next, he tried the same thing out with the shield and axe. The shield added +1 Endurance, and the axe gave him +1 Strength. When he focused on a single item, some more detailed information would appear.

[Common Skardian Clothing Set]

[+1 Endurance]

[Description: A luxurious set of everyday clothing in some parts of Skardia. This was offered up by Sarri Eraldsen]

[Common Skardian Training Shield]

[+1 Endurance]

[Description: Common item. Do not delude yourself into thinking it is just as good as a proper shield!]

[Common Skardian Firewood Axe]

[+1 Strength]

[Description: Barely passable as a weapon.]

Colt raised an eyebrow at the sarcastic sounding descriptions. ‘What the hell is up with that?’ Just as he was about to start questioning the developers’ sense of humour, there was a loud knock on the Eraldsens’ door.

“Sarri, are you in there? It’s Bjorn.” Bjorn’s rough sounding voice followed the knocking.

Sarri shared a confused glance with Ania, “What does he want?”

It took her a moment to answer the door and let the old man in. Bjorn ran a hand over his bald head as his eyes landed on Ania. She shivered beneath his gaze. There was just something unsettling about it that made her feel like he was judging her.

“It’s rare for you to come out, Bjorn. Is there something I can do for you?” Sarri sounded friendly, but there was a hint of sternest to her tone.

“Ah, I’m sorry about this, Sarri, but I’d like to ask Ania a few questions.” Bjorn mimicked Sarri’s way of talking to him to let her know that he would not take no for an answer.

Sarri wanted to say something more, but she decided that it was not a good idea. Instead, she invited Bjorn to join them around the fire. Sarri was not an ungracious host and soon handed Bjorn a mug of warm ale before taking a seat beside her daughter.

“Don’t be alarmed. As I said before, I just want to ask you some questions.” Bjorn stared directly into Ania’s eyes as he nursed his mug between his hands. “I’m hoping that you can tell me everything about this God called Exile that you called out to during your Trial.”

Ania was just about to answer when Sarri cut her off. “Bjorn! Are you testing my daughter! If you are, then I willingly vouch for her! I have already seen the evidence of the Gods walking among us once more!”

Bjorn’s expression said that he was somewhat interested in what they had to say. He did not expect to come here today and not only deal with claims of a God but an apparent eye witness as well.

“Very well, Sarri. Have it your way. Where you can, I’d like you to give me your input where it’s appropriate.” Bjorn studied Sarri’s reaction to his words, but she seemed to be resolute in her decision. He nodded in satisfaction and then began his interrogation.

Bjorn began by asking when Ania first became aware of Exile’s existence before working his way up to their current situation. There were some parts where Ania subtly turned her head to glance at Colt for an answer. Bjorn did not fail to notice this slight action of Ania’s. However, he also noticed that Sarri never once took her eyes away from him.

Bjorn leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Neither Ania nor Sarri dared to disturb him as he contemplated their answers. ‘Hm, Ania seems to believe that she is telling the truth. Just like some of those who had delirium and thought they saw the Gods. However, she keeps looking at the chair next to me. As if someone is sitting there.’

‘Most people don’t do that. There’s no need to since it’s all in their head. Sarri, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be able to see whatever it is that Ania sees. Ania seems convinced that Exile saved her from being sold off as a slave and that he protected her again during her Trial.’

‘I don’t have any answers for their offerings disappearing into thin air even if I could brush off the other strange events. If it was just Ania claiming that, I could argue that maybe she had hidden the items to sell or something. But, Sarri is adamant that it really happened as well.’

Bjorn began to stroke his beard under the womens’ watchful gazes. Ania’s descriptions matched some of the older stories in the book he guarded. Nobody in the village but him knew of those details, like when the Gods first appeared that they just seemed like golden figures. It was only with time that their chosen ones could see past that divine light.

Bjorn grumbled as his brow furrowed into a frown. He did not want to admit it, but Ania Eraldsen might have been telling the truth. That made Bjorn feel somewhat sour since he had wholeheartedly believed in the existence of the Gods since he was a child. He could not understand why a God would choose this little girl instead of him!